Real Estate and Beyond Blog: Ontario

HARRY'S TOP FIVE REAL ESTATE INVESTING BOOKS

I am constantly reading about real estate investing. There are so many books to read on this subject. I completely understand why people become confused and frustrated. I have created the Real Estate and Beyond Network to assist people to invest in real estate. I have people come through my doors asking me if I have read this book and that book. I am a hands on person so I get in the car and structure the deal.

Here is my top 5 Real Estate Investing Books

1. Rich Dad's Advisors®: The ABC's of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Investors Miss
2. The Millionaire Real Estate Agent: It's Not About the Money...It's About Being the Best You Can Be!
3. Rich Dad's Real Estate Advantages: Tax and Legal Secrets of Successful Real Estate Investors
4. The Fundamentals of Listing and Selling Commercial Real Estate
5. Investing in Duplexes, Triplexes, and Quads: The Fastest and Safest Way to Real Estate Wealth

What book would you add to this list? I would love to hear from the AR community.

TWO WAYS TO INCREASE BUSINESS AS A REALTOR A MUST READ

I have been practicing real estate for the past ten years in Arizona. We can all remember the reasons why we got into real estate. Here are the many reasons I have heard over the years

• Easy money
• Shorter hours
• Just show homes cannot be that hard
• Work weekends
• Be your own boss
• Do it yourself

I remember my first two years in real estate. How am I going to get the phone ringing? Who wants to utilize my services since I am so brand new? Now, the fears of failure start sinking. Come on! We have all felt that feeling in the beginning of our career. Older real estate agents never want to assist new real estate agents for fear of competition. I never understood that philosophy and never will to this day. I have learned that real estate is a team sport.

Now, here are all the ways to advertise ones business back in the day

• Business cards with your professional picture
• Door knocking
• Postcards
• Magazines very costly
• Shopping carts
• Bus stops
• Market ads
• Open Houses
• Personal web site
• Purchase leads

I have to admit that I have tried every single one of these options and more. How many of us hate when vendors call us to spend our money on another marketing idea to increase ones real estate business. PLEASE STOP CALLING ME. If I need your assistance, then I will gladly call you on my OWN.

The two most effective ways that I have continually grown my real estate business see below

1. BLOGGING
2. ANSWER THE PHONE

COME ON! It cannot be that easy. That is your advice. Many real estate agents are here today and gone tomorrow. There are a few of us that think long term. I see it in my office. Most real estate agent do not want to work hard and make things happen. Hey! This is only my opinion. They tend to make things more complicated than they really are in today's real estate market.

OK HERE ARE TWO MORE WAYS TO INCREASE ONES REAL ESTATE BUSINESS

1. BLOGGING
2. ANSWER THE PHONE

KISS METHOD--KEEP IT SIMPLE AND STUPID

I AM HUNGRY FOR MORE BUSINESS GOOD TIME TO TEAM UP WITH OTHER REALTORS MAKE IT HAPPEN

I have to admit that there is never a down moment in real estate. There is always something happening and no two files are the same. Each transaction takes on their own set of challenges. The Great Ones make it look easy and close the deal time and time again. I am a closer. I overcome obstacles as they come up. I always look for the Win Win in each transaction by all means. There are at times when this is not possible. It is best to chalk it up as a learning experience and move on to the next transaction.

Now, each ones of us bring the following when teaming up with one another

• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Networks
• Abilities

I always enjoyed being the captain in gym class. I picked the right kids to win the game. I obtained the skill to pick out the best in people. I carried this skill set into my real estate business. I have built a solid network to create a one stop shop for real estate investors to achieve the following:

• Acquisition
• Rehabbing
• Property management

We have developed quite a system when it comes to leasing out properties. The team that I have assebled does a great job in finding qualified tenants in a short amount of time and placing them into vacant homes.

REAL ESTATE IS A TEAM SPORT

Many real estate agents want to still work the Lone Ranger. Hey, that may work for them. It does not work for me. I have to surround myself with successful people who want to WIN.

What are you bringing to the table in the game of real estate?

YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PRACTICE REAL ESTATE TODAY AND BEYOND

Many of us can remember the musical group called the "Beastie Boys." One of their most popular songs were "YOU GOTTA FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PARTY." It came out in 1987. This song has taking on a new meaning for myself. The song had a nice beat and we could relate to the lyrics at that time. However, the message to the song was that young people have to fight for the right to party regardless of responsibilities in life. Again, this is my opinion.

Now, let's change the message to the following new title "YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PRACTICE REAL ESTATE TODAY AND BEYOND." Nobody ever gave me a free hand out when I entered the real estate business in 2002 after being let go from Corporate America during 9/11 incident. I had FIGHT FOR MY RIGHT TO PRACTICE REAL ESTATE THEN, NOW AND BEYOND. Let freedom ring among us. We are guaranteed the right to pursuit happiness but it is not guaranteed. Many real estate agents get into this business with an entitlement mind set. Come on! We have witnessed these agents throughout our life time. Many of them refuse to do even the real estate basics to obtain new business. They want everything handed to them.

I sought out a mentor for the first 18 months of my real estate career. I knew that I would have to learn from somebody who has been in the real estate business and that person needed to close deals. I wanted to learn how to do the following from a mentor

1. Develop business
2. Maintain business
3. Close deal$

I brought many skills to the table when I entered real estate such as

• 12 years of management
• Graduate degree in information technology
• Sales-fellow NYer I talk to everyone
• Humble spirit I do not know everything and being a good student

I have learned that REAL ESTATE IS TRULY A TEAM SPORT over the last ten years of my real estate career. I have developed and continue to create an outstanding team. Furthermore, we all have networks as individuals. However, the power comes when we combine all of our networks into ONE. This is when we refer business to one another and do not break the circle. I have gained much success in being true and loyal to my real estate network. The boxer "ALI" was the world champion. This we know is true because he tells us daily. The real truth is that he had many people that helped him to get to that point in his life. He had to fight for his right to be the "CHAMPION IN THE WORLD." Today, he is still fighting for his life. The fighting spirit never dies from within as we can witness in Ali. Do you have the same spirit when it comes to real estate?

YOU HAVE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PRACTICE REAL ESTATE TODAY AND BEYOND KICK IT!

HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE TO SELL A HOME? PHOENIX FIX AND FLIP TRAINING

It was another Friday afternoon in the Phoenix real estate market. I was in the office doing paperwork before we start the weekend. I wanted to ensure that our closings were on time this month. Then, I made follow up phone calls to potential clients. Being in the office at times is the best way to get new business. The receptionist transferred a call to me from a potential investor.

His first questions for me was "HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE TO SELL A HOME?" OK I like when people get right to the point being a fellow New Yorker myself. However, his voice sounded very young to me. So, I decided to start asking probing questions like the ones below:

• Is this a normal sale or are you trying to flip a home?
• Is this your first one?
• Will this be a cash or private money financing deal?
• Do you need assistance in rehabbing the property?
• What is your motivation when it comes to flipping homes?
• Have you recently taken any real estate educational classes?

I have a strong passion when it comes to Phoenix Fix and Flip a House. I attend the Arizona Trustee Sales each and every week. So, I consider myself a professional in this arean. I knew this was his first flip after speaking with this investor for the past ten minutes.

So, I asked him for the address of this home. It was not a home but a townhouse. It showed pending in the MLS. This means another investor tied up this property with the intentions to flipping it to another investor. Now, I asked him for the purchase price. He informed me that it was $32,000 and that he was going to flip this property at around $54,000. OK this is a good spread for this price point.

Does the property appraise for this value? Well, let me do a quick comparative marketing analysis while you are on the phone. My analysis came back at $26,000 with current closings in the same subdivision with two active properties below my number at $26,000. He was amazed that I was able to assess this property in less than two mintues while be on the phone with him.

My advise to him on this property was quite simple "RUNAWAY" from this deal. I emailed all the information that I viewed directly to him. He agreed with me. Furthermore, he thanked me for my honesty.

I just picked up another pupil to educate him on the correct way to Phoenix Fix and Flip a House to make money.

www.fixandflipahouse.com

ELIMINATING INEFFICIENCIES IN REAL ESTATE--REAL ESTATE MARKETING AND BEYOND

I have been a licensed Realtor for the past ten years. I was baptized into real estate after I was displaced by "Corporate America" in 2002 shortly after the "9/11" incident. The following events went down in my life in 90 days in February of 2002:

• Purchased first home
• First child was born
• Lost my job

I consider myself to be very resourceful. So, I was in the process of exploring my career options while I was collecting my $300 per week unemployment check. Real estate investing was always a dream of mine. Finally, I obtained my Arizona real estate license in 2002. Time flies when having fun.

I obtained a mentor for the first 18 months of my real estate career. I had to learn the ropes of the business by getting dirty. Remember, I had a young family to support and a new mortgage to pay monthly. I quickly learned to generate and close business. I have never looked back since that time.

The biggest inefficiency that I continually see in real estate is MARKETING.

I witnessed Realtors spending $2,000 and more per month on print ads only. Personally, I thought print ads were dinosaur marketing. There had to be a better way of marketing. I decided to lean on my technical skills to develop a more efficient marketing plan for my real estate business.

We all know the REAL ESTATE IS A TEAM SPORT. Well, I better get my team in place. I developed my personal marketing plan. However, I soon realized that I need assistance in implementation while I continually generate and close business.

HARRY'S TOP TEN STEPS TO IMPLEMENT A MORE EFFICIENT REAL ESTATE MARKETING PLAN AND BEYOND

1. Hire virtual assistance
2. Develop and maintain main web site www.DeliaTeam.com
3. Purchase my own email address harry@deliateam.com
4. Develop niche web sites to generate more business www.lukeafbrealestate.com, www.asurealestate.com, www.justrenttoown.com, and www.fixandflipahouse.com
5. Create and maintain database
6. Produced and Hosted "Real Estate and Beyond" radio show here in Phoenix, Arizona from 2006 to 2011
7. Joined ActiveRain in 2009 to become a master blogger and Ambassador to serve and inspire others
8. Write and submit articles to publish via the Internet to be an expert in my field
9. Develop and post videos when it comes to niche real estate marekts
10. Put the "REAL" back into real estate when meeting people in public

CONCLUSION:

It has been an amazing ride to this point in my career. We are in the business of generating leads. It is what we do with those leads to convert to closings makes the difference between a good and great Realtor in my opinion. One needs a great team to implement a huge plan successfully. I have been very fortunate to work with the best in the business over the years. I am very excited about my real estate business.

I will leave everyone with my radio show motto below:

1. MAKE THE CALL
2. SET THE PLAN
3. DO THE DEAL$

LISTEN TO YOUR ARIZONA PROPERTY MANAGER TRUE PROFESSIONAL

It seems that more and more people are purchasing Phoenix real estate as investments. The TV ads and local real estate education companies make it real simple. All you have to do is 5 STEP PLAN TO GET RICH IN REAL ESTATE

1. Purchase a home
2. Fix it up
3. Rent it out
4. Collect the cash
5. Get Rich

There is nothing wrong with this model when someone pays $20,000 for this education. Now, I recently wrote a blog post on a TENANT REFUSING TO PAY LATE FEES, LEGAL FEES AND THE RENT. Let me give you a little background on this one. Owner hired me to manage this rental. They stated the tenant are always late on their payments and refuse to repair items agreed upon. Well, I come to find out there was no written lease between both parties. Each side was claiming they were right. So, I suggest on 1/17/2012 to send them Arizona Eviction Process letter. The owners hedged and pleaded with me to work it out with the tenant.

Well, we finally sent the Arizona Eviction letter on 2/17/2012. We had our day in court this past week. The tenants pleaded guilty to the crime but did not waive their right to sue owners. So, they sent a letter to settle the matter or they threaten to sue the owners. My first thought was "MAKE MY DAY." However, I suggested to the owners to settle with the tenants and obtain 80% of the judgment compared to ZERO dollars. Finally, we settled this matter on Friday. The tenants will be moving out of this home at the middle of this month.

Listen to your Arizona Property Manager at all times. The owners last another month of rent because they did not serve the Arizona Eviction letter until 2/17/2012. There is nothing personal when you take someone to court for failure to pay rent. Both parties have agreed upon the terms. There are times when both parties need a judge to decide what is fair and move on with life.

Properties R Us LLC $60 per month per door. This is a great bargain when it comes to Arizona Property Management.

PHOENIX FIX AND FLIP COMPETITIVE BUT WE STILL MAKE IT HAPPEN WEEKLY

The Phoenix real estate market is starting to heat up, again. We have investors from around the world buying up the inventory as soon as it comes on the market. The banks continue to hold back the inventory only to increase prices each month. It is simply supply and demand rule. However, that does not mean that one sits on the sidelines, again. There is money to be made in Phoenix Fix and Flip homes. How? That is a great question. A trusted real estate advisor and patience to pull the trigger on the right deal will bring much success.

I assist real estate investors who wish to Phoenix Fix and Flip a home to purchase from the Arizona Trustee Sales. These sales happen daily at different places in the county. Yes, we do take people down to the actual sale to obtain first hand experience when it comes to bidding on a property. One must know their maximum bid or they will not make money. Are there sharks at the auctions? Yes, they love to smell new blood each day. They will bid up properties just to drive you out of the tank. It is best to work with a trusted team who has a process in place for success like the Real Estate and Beyond Team.

There are several clubs that exist in the Valley to attend to learn more about Phoenix Fix and Flip homes. Also, I have created a network to assist real estate investos who wish to do a Phoenix Fix and Flip home. I do have access to other investors who might want to partner up together on a deal to share the expense and reward at the close of escrow. I strongly believe that the best deals are at Arizona Trustee Sales. I go over the inventory daily and see great deals. The key is to be in position to take down a deal when winning the bid. That means having either cash or private money ready to perform the next day.

Please contact me Harry D'Elia for more information or visit www.FixandFlipAHouse.com

IT IS BEST TO HIRE A PROPERTY MANAGER WHEN INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE TO SAVE MONEY AND PROTECT ASSETS

I have been doing real estate for the past ten years and I have seen many mistakes done by real estate investors. I believe that "REAL ESTATE IS A TEAM SPORT." It is much better when the real estate investor has a network in place when investing in real estate. The easiest parts of real estate investing are the acquisition and rehab of the home in my opinion. Now, the management of the property takes a certain skill set so be successful. Do you really want to be a property manager? Properties R Us LLC only charges $60 per month per door. Wow! That is a great price to take the headache away from the real estate investor. How much is your time worth to you? The project to the right of you took exactly three weeks from acquisition, rehab to placing a tenant into this property. The real estate investor was hands off. Really?

I personally deal with many real estate investors from Canada, Australia and across America who wish to invest in Phoenix real estate market. I am on the ground looking out for their best interests. They hire me to acquisition, rehab and property management when it comes to real estate investing. One call does it all. The ONE STOP machine that we have created makes it easier for the real estate investor.

Yes, I do take problems when investors call me about their current rental headache. My most recent assignment was an investor that rented to a tenant with no official lease signed by two parties. Wow! So, we have completed the normal assessment of the entire situation. We will need to evict the current tenant and seek a judgment on behalf of the owner to protect their interests. Yes, the home is on the market at maret rental rate. Please consult a professional when investing in real estate.

PROPERTIES R US LLC $60 PER MONTH PER DOOR ARIZONA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

ARE YOU LOSING MONEY WITH YOUR ARIZONA RENTAL PROPERTIES?

1. Too Much Leverage
2. Common Sense
3. Partners
4. Due Diligence
5. More Education Than Application

Real estate has become a top discussion at many dinner tables and water coolers around the country. Everybody equates real estate and riches together. Real estate education is a multibillion dollar industry. However, only 2% of the people that obtain the education will put it into application. Real estate is a team sport. One cannot do this sport on their own based upon my experience.